A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Murren vs. Kitzbuhel for Skiing, Hiking, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Murren and Kitzbuhel can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Murren

Murren is a breathtaking, stunning, and serene town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and skiing.

Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is a world-class, breathtaking, and outdoorsy ski resort. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and food.

Murren and Kitzbuhel: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty


Is there more to do in Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kitzbuhel. Although Murren and Kitzbuhel are popular destinations, Kitzbuhel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Murren is famous for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. Kitzbuhel is famous for its world renowned skiing, scenic natural beauty, and summer hiking opportunities. It is also well known for The Kitzbüheler Horn.

How is Murren different from Kitzbuhel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kitzbuhel and Murren. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Murren or Kitzbuhel Better for Skiing?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Both Murren and Kitzbuhel are destinations which offer terrific snow skiing.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Murren. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Kitzbuhel is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. There are four ski resorts near the village and 145 miles of slopes. Hahnenkamm Streif racecourse is world famous, but there are also 57 lifts that offer access to skiing for everyone from beginners to professionals. This is a world class ski area that is considered to be one of the best in the world. It attracts international skiers who come for the well maintained slopes and world class skiing.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is a ski resort with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Kitzbuhel offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors come for the skiing and outdoor adventures, not the museums and historical sights. But you can visit the St. Andreas Parish Church, Museum Kitzbühel, or the Liebfrauenkirche while you're in town.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Is the Food Better in Murren or Kitzbuhel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Murren is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kitzbuhel makes for a great culinary experience. There's a diverse food scene with everything from rustic inns to award-winning fine dining experiences. You'll find both local dishes and international flavors around town as well.

Murren has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

Is Murren or Kitzbuhel Better for Nightlife?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is well known for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Kitzbuhel is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene offers everything from wine bars to high end cocktail bars or local pubs with beer on tap. There are also dance clubs and other party areas where visitors dance until the early morning hours.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.


Is Murren or Kitzbuhel Better for its Old Town?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is well known for its historic old town. However, Murren does not have a historic old town.

Kitzbuhel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is compact and charming with restaurants, churches, and shopping. It's the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes.

Murren does not have a historic old town.

Is Murren or Kitzbuhel Better for Hiking?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Both Murren and Kitzbuhel are destinations which offer terrific hiking.

Around Murren visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Kitzbuhel is well-known for its hiking and trekking. During the summer months the area is filled with miles of stunning hikes. There's the famous Kitzbüheler Horn, as well as more relaxing mountain strolls. You'll enjoy breathtaking views and serene mountain pastures.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is a ski resort with good options for shopping. However, Murren is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Kitzbuhel is a great destination for shopping. The village offers a mix of international and local brands. There's everything from fashion and jewelry to sporting goods and local foods.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.


Is Murren or Kitzbuhel Better for Families?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Both Murren and Kitzbuhel are excellent to visit with kids.

Murren is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Kitzbuhel is very family-friendly. This is a family-friendly ski area that has child care available in several places as well as kids slopes and other family friendly things to do. During the summer months there's hiking, biking, and other outdoor adventure activities.

Is Murren or Kitzbuhel Better for Couples?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Murren is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Kitzbuhel is not as popular, but is still a nice ski resort for couples.

Murren makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Kitzbuhel is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy skiing, winter sports, and other outdoor adventures will truly appreciate a visit. It makes for an adrenaline filled holiday that is both romantic and fun.

Is Murren or Kitzbuhel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is well known for backpackers. However, Murren is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Kitzbuhel. There are several hostels near town that cater to the budget crowd. There's also a large number of skiing and sport enthusiasts so its not hard to meet other likeminded travelers.

Murren is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in town so it's a bit difficult to stay in Murren as a backpacker. There are a number of charming hostels in the surrounding area though and they each have a unique local character.


Is Murren or Kitzbuhel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Murren and Kitzbuhel.

You'll find some public transit in Murren, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

While Kitzbuhel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are trains and buses that connect the town to other nearby villages. During the winter months are are ski buses that take skiers to the ski areas.

Is Murren or Kitzbuhel a more walkable city?

Murren
Kitzbuhel

Murren is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Kitzbuhel is not as popular, but is still a nice ski resort for its ease of walking around.

Murren is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

Kitzbuhel is a very walkable destination. The town is small and compact enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Murren Worth Visiting? and Is Kitzbuhel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kitzbuhel or Murren?

How long in Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Both Murren and Kitzbuhel have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kitzbuhel than in Murren. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 4-7 days is enough time in Kitzbuhel.

Families should spend more time in Kitzbuhel than Murren. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kitzbuhel, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kitzbuhel than Murren if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kitzbuhel.


  • How many days in Murren or Kitzbuhel? Ideal Length of Stay
    Murren 2-4 
    Kitzbuhel 4-7

One day in Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Even though Murren is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the small town destination of Kitzbuhel. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.


A weekend in Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Murren is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and skiing. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Kitzbuhel is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Murren is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kitzbuhel. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Murren is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the breathtaking small town of Kitzbuhel. This ski resort offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best Budget Tours to Austria, and The Best Luxury Tours to Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Kitzbuhel or Murren?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Murren is $407, while the average daily cost in Kitzbuhel is $192. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Murren and Kitzbuhel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Murren $217
    Kitzbuhel $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Murren $434
    Kitzbuhel $190
Compare Hotels in Murren and Kitzbuhel

Looking for a hotel in Murren or Kitzbuhel? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Murren


Hotels in Kitzbuhel


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Murren Hotel Prices and Kitzbuhel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Murren $50
    Kitzbuhel $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Prices for flights to both Kitzbuhel and Murren change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Murren $150
    Kitzbuhel $51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Murren

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Murren.

  • Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $167

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Murren $59
    Kitzbuhel $36

Tours and Activities in Murren

Here are a few actual costs in Murren for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Speedriding Tandem Experience in Switzerland: $279
  • Sledding adventure with Chocolate degustation: $129
  • Swiss countryside tour in free-cars town: $123

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Murren $19
    Kitzbuhel $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Murren and Kitzbuhel, we can see that Murren is more expensive. And not only is Kitzbuhel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kitzbuhel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kitzbuhel and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren than you might in Kitzbuhel.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Murren Expensive? and Is Kitzbuhel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Murren or Kitzbuhel?

Kitzbuhel has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren and Kitzbuhel, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.